There are many different species of bot flies, with only 1 species (Dermatobia hominis) normally being found on/in humans in the tropics. The rest of the family are parasites of various other mammals and are relatively common yet rarely observed. Additionally, they don’t all burrow within the skin, with the larvae of some species developing in the nasal cavaties of deer or sheep, and there is even one species that will develop inside the digestive tract of horses. Another example of a fascinating group of flies given a bad name by a single species and graphic YouTube videos…

Finding an active hilltop can lead to some amazing fly collecting! If you’re there at the right time and lucky, you can usually bring in multiple species of normally hard to find parasitoid flies, like bot flies, tachinids, thick-headed flies (Conopidae) and big-headed flies (Pipunculidae). I’m not really sure why so many parasitoids have converged on hilltopping as the place to date, but it can make for an exciting morning as a fly collector!

when in costa rica 2 years ago, my dear friend passed cutoms with a bot fly in back and the eggs eventually depositied in her flesh. they had to be removed surgically. she went 4 months without knowing what was causing the pain…. terrible thing. i felt so badly for her suffering.

It happens. They’re kinda gross, especially if you’re not into bugs, but they’re still really cool flies! The species here infects jackrabbits and packrats, so they’re not the same kind your friend got.